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BUSBY BECOMES FIRST TO 10 HR IN A SEASON
AMERICAN 1B BREAKS “IMPOSSIBLE” BARRIER; MAKES OTHER HISTORY AT NEWARK

NEWARK, N.J. (July 23, 1868) – Throughout the twelve-year history of the NBBO, the bar for power hitting excellence has been set at five home runs in a season. On average, two or three players per year have reached the mark, with a record five getting there in 1863 and none making it in 1859, ’60, or ’65.

Thanks to American 1B William Busby’s performance in a crazy 18-16 win at Newark on Thursday, the bar has been raised.

Busby was the key man in a ten-run American rally in the 6th inning that gave them a 13-7 lead and just enough of a cushion to fend off a mighty Newark comeback. It was part of a history-making afternoon for the All-Star first baseman:

• T1: 1-run Ground Out to 1B off A. Norman
• T3: Fly Out to SS off A. Norman
• T6: LEADOFF HOME RUN to RF off A. Norman (R)
• T6: 2-RUN HOME RUN to RF off F. Mitchell (R)
• T7: 1-run Double to CF off F. Mitchell
• T8: 1-run Single past 2B off L. Ewing
• TOTAL: 4/6, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI, 11 TB

Busby made history in three ways at Newark:

• New record for Home Runs in a season (previous: 8 by Doc Matheson in 1863)
• 1st player in NBBO history to hit two Home Runs in a single inning
• 1st player in NBBO history to hit 10+ Home Runs in a single season

Busby, who led the NBBO in Home Runs last season with six, is leading an American team that has pulled in front of 2x NBBO champions Shamrock in the Coastal Championship and appears to be peaking at the perfect time. If American finishes atop the Coastal it will be their first pennant, and history maker Busby will be one of the main men to thank.